LexisNexis to pay $1.2M after pay discrimination investigation

185 female employees in Alpharetta affected

Posted
Wednesday, February 15, 2017 12:00 am

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ALPHARETTA, Ga. — Alpharetta-based LexisNexis recently agreed to pay over $1.2 million in back pay and interest to 211 female employees after apparent pay discrimination.

The company provides computer-assisted legal and business research and risk management services.

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, this will resolve allegations of “systematic pay discrimination against women at its facilities in Alpharetta and Boca Raton, Fla.”

In fiscal years 2015 and 2016, the company had millions of dollars in federal contracts with the U.S. Departments of Homeland Security, Justice, Transportation and Labor, and the Office of Personnel Management and the General Services Administration, according to the agency.

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs conducted two separate investigations which found that as of December 2012, 185 female employees in Operational Leadership jobs were paid “substantially less” than their male counterparts.

Additionally, 26 female employees in Operational Leadership jobs in Boca Raton were also paid less than their male equivalents.

The Department of Labor said they do not release the names of the victims.

The investigation was part of a routine compliance evaluation conducted by the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs and was not generated by employee complaints, according to Department of Labor Media Contact Michael D’Aquino.

The department found a significant difference in pay in both locations even after taking into account legitimate factors that affect pay level, the agency said. Executive Order 11246 prohibits federal contractors from engaging in compensation discrimination on the basis of sex.

“It is unlawful for federal contractors to discriminate in pay on the basis of sex,” said Acting OFCCP Director Thomas Dowd. “Through this settlement, the affected class members will be compensated for their losses. We are pleased that the contractor worked cooperatively with us and has agreed to review and revise pay policies and procedures as necessary.”

While not admitting liability and denying all claims, LexisNexis has agreed through a conciliation agreement to pay over $1.2 million in back pay and interest, and to monitor practices that affect compensation for women unfavorably, according to the agency stated.

Additionally, the company agreed to pay over $45,000 in salary adjustments to women employed at the Boca Raton facility and will conduct an annual compensation analysis during the term of the conciliation agreement, the agency said.

A company statement said LexisNexis is, “committed to ensuring all employees are treated fairly and afforded equal employment opportunities.”

“The OFCCP’s findings were not based on any individual complaints. Rather they were derived from statistical analysis conducted by the agency,” the statement said. “The company disagrees with the OFCCP’s findings and does not believe it violated any federal laws. After three and a half years of cooperation during the agency’s review, we ultimately agreed to the settlement to avoid committing additional time and resources for continued legal proceedings.”

LexisNexis must submit two progress reports covering the period the agreement is in effect. The company has to submit a summary of the actions undertaken as part of the review and or revision of policies. The company agreed to review and, as necessary, revise its compensation practices and establish monitoring and oversight mechanisms to ensure that all aspects of its compensation system provide equal opportunity to all employees.

Moreover, the company agreed to provide training to all its managers and supervisors who make compensation decisions and to all human resources personnel at its Alpharetta location.